In my shop you'll find original art, reproduction prints on metal and paper, note cards and earrings. Find additional "print on demand" items featuring my art at Fine Art America and Zazzle. Please visit this Facebook album to see all currently available originals.
At this time, I only accept US orders. If you're in another country and would like to purchase something from my shop, please contact me.
What is Scratchboard?
Scratchboard is a 2-dimensional subtractive art form. The support typically consists of a white kaolin clay coated hardboard covered with black India ink. Sharp tools are used to remove, or “scratch”, through the black ink, revealing the white clay underneath. The majority of the values within the artwork are achieved by varying the amount of surface layer that has been removed.
Artworks may be left black & white, or the exposed clay areas can be colored. A variety of transparent mediums may be used for color, including watercolor, ink, and fluid acrylics. In this case, tonal variation may also be obtained with varying dilutions. These clay-coated boards area also available without the black ink layer, they are intially covered with ink or color media in select areas, and then scratched.
Many artists use sharp tools such as scalpel blades to scratch into the clay, creating work with exceptional detail and realism, but any abrasive implement may be used to create a variety of effects. This unique process has attracted artists for its control in rendering intricate subject matter, while remaining highly versatile to those exploring folk art, abstract work and many other artistic styles.
Scratchboard has roots going back to the 1800’s when black and white illustrations were created for newspapers and books. Creation of archival, museum grade materials has allowed it to continually evolve to the present day where it is now prominent in design work and fine art.
Information courtesy of the Int'l Society of Scratchboard Artists' web site (scratchboardsociety.org)
